Formerly known as the Kinghorn Museum, the King Township Museum is a cache of artifacts and historic buildings designed to educate the public about the history of King City.
The museum is housed, for the most part, in the old Kinghorn school, a building with an interesting history beginning with its construction in 1861. The building was expanded many times up until the 1960s, so its very architecture is a testament to local growth and development. What began as a one-room schoolhouse is now a museum, since its conversion in the late 1970s.
Other buildings on the site include the King Railway Station and the King Christian Church. Ontario's oldest surviving railway station, the King station served as a stop on the rail line that linked Toronto to Lake Simcoe, remaining active from its opening in 1853 to its closing in 1967.
Since then, it occupied space first at the Kortright Centre and then at Black Creek Pioneer Village, before finally coming to rest in its permanent place at King Township Museum.
The King Christian Church was built in 1851, and will be especially interesting to those who have visited the Sharon Temple in East Gwillimbury. Like the Temple, the church was built by the Children of Peace, a local Quaker sect. The church served the community for 80 years until being converted into a Baptist church in 1931. The church closed in 1978, and in 1982 it was brought to the King Township Museum.
With a collection of over 1800 artifacts, the museum has plenty to offer curious visitors. Artifacts range from household items and books to tools and clothing, making local history come alive.
Perhaps the most interesting artifact at the facility is the 32-ton dredge that was used to clear canals in the Holland Marsh. This and many other pieces make the museum's collection a true treasure, intimately connecting visitors with the past.
The King Township Museum is located at 2920 King Road in King City. For more information, call (905) 833-2331 or visit http://www.township.king.on.ca/public/Heritage.cfm.